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Intro
Nu Lurie’s “greatest ambition” as a child was to become a comic-strip artist, but he admits that he quickly grew out of that dream. He recalls how the adults in his life, including his father and mother, doubted his ability to achieve this goal. As a child, his dream differs from those of his classmates, who aspire to become doctors, scientists, and businessmen. Despite their conventional goals, Nu condescendingly calls them “dreamers” because of their passive attitudes toward their dreams. By comparison, Nu completes his first, full-length comic on a Friday night.
The following Monday at school, Nu shares with his classmate, Michael Lazarus, that he created a full comic. Michael mentions to Nu that he could send it to a magazine for publication, and though the boys get in trouble for talking in class, the idea sticks with Nu. Immediately after arriving home from school, Nu retrieves the comic and packages it to send to Boy Magazine. That night, however, Nu loses sleep thinking about the magazine and the potential for publication. Nu does not read Boy Magazine because they print stories, which Nu finds boring and pretentious in comparison to comics. After tossing and turning throughout the night, going back and forth on whether he should send in his comic, he ultimately decides to send it.
After sending in the comic, Nu’s parents doubt him. His father habitually asks him if he’s collected any payment for his comic, and he continues even after Nu receives a letter from Boy Magazine. The letter asks Nu to call Miss Gordon, the receptionist, to set up an appointment, and because of his parents’ doubt, Nu calls from a public telephone. Nu’s mother is upset that he will have to miss school for the meeting, but it is worth it to Nu. The meeting is so important to him that he deliberates over which suit he should wear. He anticipates that the editors will offer him a permanent job with the magazine, and he wants to look the part. As he prepares for the meeting, he receives a telegram from Miss Gordon asking him to reschedule. Nu’s mother intercepts the telegram, which frustrates Nu, who wants more privacy in the matter. He calls again from the public phone to reschedule the meeting.
When the day of the appointment finally arrives, Nu must ride through 12 train stations to get to the office. Nu is disappointed when he first sees the Boy Magazine office. he had imagined it would be bright and innovative, but instead, the building is drab and resembles a factory. When Nu enters, the receptionist is surprised to see someone so young but ushers him into the meeting. Mr. Randell, the magazine’s editor, comments on Nu’s age, but nevertheless offers him payment for the comic. Nu immediately accepts. He waits for a job offer, but it never comes. Instead, the editors show him other comics in the magazine, which do not interest Nu, and Jim shows him around the offices and publishing facilities. After the tour, Nu returns home apathetic.
Upon Nu’s comic appearing in Boy Magazine, he earns some popularity at school, but it passes quickly. He keeps the tour of the building a secret, but he creates another comic and sends it in. When he receives a letter back, he learns the magazine is shutting down and they cannot print the comic. Nu decides he no longer wants to be a comic-strip artist, instead choosing a career as a painter. He fears that he has become a “dreamer” like his peers.
